A couple of weeks back there was a post on a Nissan Leaf lease deal. That got me going & interested in a Nissan Leaf. I started researching & then came upon this article : $139/Month Lease

I contacted my local dealer ( Dirito Concord Nissan ) who is running his own special of $160 @ Month with $4k Down for 39 Months at 12k Miles @ Year. I spoke to the Leaf Sales Specialist at the dealership & had an interesting conversation with him.

So the #1 setup seemed to make the most sense right away but here is the catch & this is explained in the article as well. In the state of california, there is a $2500 State Rebate. You only get this when you lease for 3yrs+ or purchase the vehicle. This is a rebate & not some tax credit. $60 @ Month more for 15 more months = $900 more but getting back $2500 from the state leaves you $1600 ahead of the game.

This deal works out to be better than what was written about in the article. The article has it at 2995 + 1200 Drive Off (Roughly 4300) & $139. This is $4000 & $99 or $4000 & 160.

Another very interesting part is that there is a Free Charger Program from Ecotality for the greater bay area & other parts of california. Upon calling them, they informed me that to qualify, I had to have leased for 3yrs or longer & that a 24 month lease would not qualify to get the free charger. Link to FREE CHARGER

There is a reason for the sale. Up to 100 miles a charge. That's if you don't have the radio, A/C, or anything else on that drains the battery. But hey, if you only drive 30 miles max any one direction, it may be the one for you. Don't forget your handy GOVT issue green tax credit!

JetiLarry

Ancient Member

posted: Dec. 10, 2012 @ 6:36p

I think you need to account for the first 24 months at $60/month more as well which is an additional $1440 to your math above

JetiLarry said: I think you need to account for the first 24 months at $60/month more as well which is an additional $1440 to your math above

YES you are right about that. What was I thinking.... DUUUUH. Anyways the Free Charger is important to me which will be worth it for me. There is also this fairly inexpensive upgrade : EVSE UPGRADE

Maybe the 24 months is the way to go after all.

One more perk I thought about - Carpool Lane

goingwest

Senior Member

posted: Dec. 10, 2012 @ 7:12p

That thing is ugly.

zapy

Dismembered Member

posted: Dec. 10, 2012 @ 9:34p

ya know, if you put $enough down$ the monthly payment can be near zero.

How exactly is this hot for most of the country? It seems to be a ymmv. And how do you charge it during those blackouts?

polishdreamer

Senior Member - 10K

posted: Dec. 10, 2012 @ 9:46p

I'd name mine Rosey.

yesplease

New Member

posted: Dec. 11, 2012 @ 12:18a

dfoxwe said: There is a reason for the sale. Up to 100 miles a charge. That's if you don't have the radio, A/C, or anything else on that drains the battery. But hey, if you only drive 30 miles max any one direction, it may be the one for you. Don't forget your handy GOVT issue green tax credit!Could be. Or maybe the reason is a cheaper "economy" version with better range and lower cost (Probably ~$8000 less) that's coming out next year.

Since my previous response was considered "political" by the moderator...

Allow me to point out that the current subsidy of $7500 will likely be increased in the near future to $10,000 per vehicle so you may want to wait until early next year. This is a great incentive for the individual consumer of the product. Whether you agree or disagree with such subsidies, apparently should be discussed elsewhere!

billmr

Shadow Member

posted: Dec. 18, 2012 @ 7:51p

ViveLeRoi said: Since my previous response was considered "political" by the moderator...

Allow me to point out that the current subsidy of $7500 will likely be increased in the near future to $10,000 per vehicle so you may want to wait until early next year. This is a great incentive for the individual consumer of the product. Whether you agree or disagree with such subsidies, apparently should be discussed elsewhere!

what makes you think that the "subsidy" will be increased when the cliff is looming ?

pottan

New Member

posted: Dec. 18, 2012 @ 8:22p

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure you have to be able to install the charger where you live, so you can charge the car overnight. And it's not just plug and play, it's a serious undertaking.

This is fine if you own your place, but most apartment landlords will say NO WAY IN HELL to such a heavy duty electrical installation request by a tenant on their property - simply because they don't have to allow it.

wkirschman

Member

posted: Dec. 18, 2012 @ 11:23p

I just leased mine a few weeks ago. This is really a fun comfortable car to drive. Great for commuting. By the way, if you have 220V in your garage there is an outfit that upgrades the charging unit (actually called a EVSE since the charger is built into the car)for around $300. They offer an option to be able to use it for 110V or 220V (which charges almost 3 times as fast). Do a search for EVSE Upgrade. I figured at 1000 miles per month, with my gas savings minus my added electric costs, that I'm renting this car for about $25 a week.

pteng2012

New Member

posted: Dec. 27, 2012 @ 1:00p

I just leased mine last Friday from Boardwalk Nissan in redwood city. I have been having fun driving it. Today is the first day I drove to work (17 miles one way). They still have good deal for lease. Check with Melina there.

dograd

New Member

posted: Dec. 29, 2012 @ 7:23p

@pteng2012Do you mind quoting your deal.... They have one at 127.50 for 24 months with 2995/- down

I was looking for 36/39 month. but the quote changes.- Thanks

rajasondh

New Member

posted: Jan. 22, 2013 @ 10:20p

I leased mine from Dublin Nissan, $2500 Down and 225+Tax for 36 months, 15000miles a year. I have been driving 30 miles one way and then I charge at my work. It can go around 60miles on freeway if you drive ~75miles speed on a full charge. I use heat and after drving 30miles, dial still show 40miles range. Not a bad car, you can go around 100miles on freeway for $3 or so.

Mdrivera

Addicted Member

posted: Jan. 22, 2013 @ 10:26p

Wish we had some of these deals over on the eastcoast!

xobyte

Member

posted: Jan. 22, 2013 @ 10:41p

I leased my Leaf a few months ago for 1600 down and 162/month for 24month/12k miles... this was in TN

$290/mo......which in my honest opinion isn't bad if you have a small commute. I spend AT LEAST $150/mo in gas.

svxman

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 22, 2013 @ 11:18p

Anyone care to share their latest deals on this vehicle in SoCal? I am contemplating one of these or the Volt, given I have solar at home and am paying ~$240/mo on gas in my commute car, I am thinking a plugin would really make sense...

jblaschk

New Member

posted: Jan. 23, 2013 @ 12:35a

leased a 2012 SL in December for 1999 down and 235/mo for 39 months with 12000 miles per year after seeing another thread about it here on FW. This was in Southern CA. Great deal and a great car, loving it. Make sure you are within about 70 miles round trip range though and less than that if all freeway 65+ MPH. Be sure to use the EVSEUpgrade mentioned a few posts above to allow charging in your garage at night using 240V 20A circuit. Takes about 6 hours vs. 20 hours to 100% using 120V standard EVSE charger included with Leaf. Only about $300 to upgrade EVSE charger to 240V instead of $2500 to install Nissan Approved charger. Search for the other thread on FW amd also go to mynissanleaf.com to learn more about this nice EV. It costs me about $1.50 in electricity each night to drive 70 miles commute the next day vs. about $7.00 in gas I was paying each day in a honda civic.

mpattdu

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 23, 2013 @ 2:56p

My dealer (not in CA) is offereing $215/month, $1400 down including first payment and "upfronts" (I assume any taxes/fees). This is on the SLs.

mpattdu

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 23, 2013 @ 3:04p

pottan said: Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure you have to be able to install the charger where you live, so you can charge the car overnight. And it's not just plug and play, it's a serious undertaking.

This is fine if you own your place, but most apartment landlords will say NO WAY IN HELL to such a heavy duty electrical installation request by a tenant on their property - simply because they don't have to allow it.

You are wrong. You can charge the Leaf using a standard household outlet. Installing the heavier duty (and quicker) charger does cost extra and of course you can't just slap one up at your apartment.

KYBOSH

Senior Member - 2K

posted: Jan. 23, 2013 @ 8:14p

jblaschk said: . It costs me about $1.50 in electricity each night to drive 70 miles commute the next day vs. about $7.00 in gas I was paying each day in a honda civic.

Thats outstanding.

microsoftissuck

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 23, 2013 @ 10:38p

You should seriously consider the Volt. Once you test drive it you will know. There were some great deals in SoCal with leases around $200 and purchases around $28,000 after incentives. It's a much better car as far as ride, reliability and no "range anxiety" as the gas generator will kick in so you can drive it across the country if you wish (at about 39 mpg). I get around 45 miles per charge on mine, after that the gas kicks in. As a solar customer you can take advantage of the Time Of Use rates. SCE pays me .60 per kwh in the summer to put solar energy in the grid and then I charge my Volt late at night when the rates are .13 kwh. You can essentially drive for free.

svxman said: Anyone care to share their latest deals on this vehicle in SoCal? I am contemplating one of these or the Volt, given I have solar at home and am paying ~$240/mo on gas in my commute car, I am thinking a plugin would really make sense...

KYBOSH

Senior Member - 2K

posted: Jan. 24, 2013 @ 3:36p

I know what you are saying... the Volt is an attractive vehicle in every which way... except the price.

dishdude

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 25, 2013 @ 8:31a

With the Volt, you don't need to own a second car and incur additional insurance and cost of ownership. With the Leaf, it cannot be your only car. I can't imagine not ever traveling more than 20 miles from home.

mintmaster

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 25, 2013 @ 8:50a

KYBOSH said: I know what you are saying... the Volt is an attractive vehicle in every which way... except the price.That's why leasing is a great idea with the Volt or Leaf or any high-priced PHEV/EV. With leases, manufacturers make a prediction about what the resale value of the car will be after the lease is over, and PHEVs have several big advantages over regular cars in that respect:-the next buyer will save on gas compared to an equivalent gas car, so he'll pay more-only ~1/4 of the miles will be put on the gas engine, reducing engine wear-you can better true monthly costs (depreciation + fuel cost)

dishdude said: With the Volt, you don't need to own a second car and incur additional insurance and cost of ownership. With the Leaf, it cannot be your only car. I can't imagine not ever traveling more than 20 miles from home.

I have a 2004 GTO and a saab 9-7x. I cannot imagine driving more then 20 miles from home because gas costs to much. Just saying...

KYBOSH

Senior Member - 2K

posted: Jan. 25, 2013 @ 3:03p

mintmaster said: KYBOSH said: I know what you are saying... the Volt is an attractive vehicle in every which way... except the price.That's why leasing is a great idea with the Volt or Leaf or any high-priced PHEV/EV. With leases, manufacturers make a prediction about what the resale value of the car will be after the lease is over, and PHEVs have several big advantages over regular cars in that respect:-the next buyer will save on gas compared to an equivalent gas car, so he'll pay more-only ~1/4 of the miles will be put on the gas engine, reducing engine wear-you can better true monthly costs (depreciation + fuel cost)

With interest rates so low, leasing is a great idea.

In Metro Atlanta and the surrounding 'burbs, an outing can easy be 100 miles round trip (very spread out).For that reason, the 12-15k annual mileage allowance that comes with a lease is a non-starter.

mintmaster

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 26, 2013 @ 11:40a

KYBOSH said: In Metro Atlanta and the surrounding 'burbs, an outing can easy be 100 miles round trip (very spread out).For that reason, the 12-15k annual mileage allowance that comes with a lease is a non-starter.Obviously it's not going to work for everyone, but at least half of cars in the US are driven less than 12k per year.

Even when you buy a car, high mileage isn't free. You put wear on the engine, increase depreciation, and need gas. Consider that a car getting 30MPG combined will need $0.13/mile in gas, so $0.15/mile in lease overage fees is almost completely offset by the gas savings alone.

psychtobe

Senior Member - 3K

posted: Mar. 30, 2013 @ 9:45p

I just saw $94 /mo with $3499 due at signing for 24 mo, 12k mi per year, in the PDX area. Total payments = $5755.

Can anyone point me to an online resource that educates me about leasing?

I drive 30 mi each way, flat highway miles in mild temps year round. 200 trips per year. That's... 12k miles. My current vehicle gets 23 mpg year round, so 522 gallons at $3.75 = $1957 per year in gas. On the surface, it looks like I'll pay $1750 over two years to put 24,000 miles on someone else's vehicle or 13.7 cents per mile, plus the cost of electricity but minus the cost of maintenance and repairs on my own vehicle. I'll have to pay for the insurance on an extra vehicle. I'll still have my own as backup if it looks like I'd go over the 24,000 miles.

psychtobe said: I just saw $94 /mo with $3499 due at signing for 24 mo, 12k mi per year, in the PDX area. Total payments = $5755.

Money down = worst deal ever. It's like you are prepaying a bulk of your rent to your landlord upfront to make the monthly rent cheaper.

You are looking at roughly $214 a month with $0 down.

psychtobe

Senior Member - 3K

posted: Mar. 30, 2013 @ 11:02p

alternatively there is $199 /mo for $1999 down, total payments are higher though IIRC.

SalamiSincere

Member

posted: Mar. 30, 2013 @ 11:33p

dfoxwe said: There is a reason for the sale. Up to 100 miles a charge. That's if you don't have the radio, A/C, or anything else on that drains the battery. But hey, if you only drive 30 miles max any one direction, it may be the one for you. Don't forget your handy GOVT issue green tax credit!

Errr....the radio doesn't drain the battery at all. Learn some facts before you start spouting off idiotic comments.

FrAgMan

New Member

posted: Mar. 30, 2013 @ 11:53p

Errr....the radio doesn't drain the battery at all. Learn some facts before you start spouting off idiotic comments.[/Q said:

Got to be the stupidest statement I have seen on SD today.

toenailsmasher

Dismembered Member

posted: Mar. 31, 2013 @ 11:15a

SalamiSincere said: dfoxwe said: There is a reason for the sale. Up to 100 miles a charge. That's if you don't have the radio, A/C, or anything else on that drains the battery. But hey, if you only drive 30 miles max any one direction, it may be the one for you. Don't forget your handy GOVT issue green tax credit!

Errr....the radio doesn't drain the battery at all. Learn some facts before you start spouting off idiotic comments.

Does the leaf have a gas powered radio so it doesn't require electricity?

Is it a "electric" saving device? Whats next... An entire gas powered car so you don't have to plug your car in?

tuphat

Senior Member - 1K

posted: Mar. 31, 2013 @ 12:03p

The federal tax credit ($7500) is only available to the purchaser (owner) of the car. So a lease doesn't qualify you to claim the credit.

lyeinyoureye

Senior Member

posted: Mar. 31, 2013 @ 1:27p

FrAgMan said: Errr....the radio doesn't drain the battery at all. Learn some facts before you start spouting off idiotic comments.

Got to be the stupidest statement I have seen on SD today.

I think it's more a generalization than a literal statement. For example, my really loud pc speaker system I bought thanks to a post from here back in 2005 plus my laptop only use about 20W, so I doubt a much smaller more efficient set up like a car stereo system uses more than 10W. The Leaf has a ~25000Wh battery pack, so that means leaving the stereo on would drain in it a mere 100+ days.

So, yeah, if you leave your radio on for one solid month before going someplace, and don't charge your car, it'll take about a third of your range. Definitely something to be worried about. Better unplug your cell phone too, leaving it charging too long might kill the power grid!

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